Page 97 of The Devil's Advocate

Kate threw a lifeline, a compromise, into the barrel.

‘Your Honor, I understand the basis of the objection, but I can deal with this matter in two questions, and then move on.’

‘I think that sounds reasonable, but I must ask, with respect to the late Mr. Warren and Miss Maguire, what is the relevance to this case?’

‘That will be clear to the jury before long,’ said Kate. ‘This is a capital-murder trial ; I would request some leeway.’

Chandler leaned back in his leather chair. Lifted his chin toward the ceiling and swung the seat side to side, weighing his decision. Kate swallowed, and stood still, her fingers locked together in front of her. She needed this one to go her way. There are moments in a case where the whole thing stands on the edge of a thin blade. This was one such moment.

‘I’ll allow the two questions, but then you will need to move on,’ said Chandler.

Kate nodded, turned to the witness.

‘What was the cause of death established for Cody Warren and Betty Maguire?’

‘They were both shot in the head with a low-caliber pistol.’

‘Last question on this matter. At the time of Mr. Warren’s death, and Miss Maguire’s, they were representing the defendant in this case, Andy Dubois, correct?’

‘Correct,’ said Miss Price.

‘Thank you for your honesty ; just a moment, please.’

Kate nodded, turned and began to shuffle through some papers on the defense table. She had her next line of questions written out, edited, practiced in front of the mirror in the hotel, and memorized. She didn’t need to look at her notes. She was buying time. Time for the jury to think about the last answer given by Price. For the jury to establish, in their own minds, the link between Korn hating Cody Warren, and Warren and Betty’s murder, and their involvement in representing Andy Dubois. Some jurors wouldn’t make the leap, but some would at least begin to wonder. She held on as long as she could, turning pages over on the desk for what felt like minutes. It was under thirty seconds, but it was enough. When Kate turned back, Taylor Avery was rubbing his chin, his eyes a thousand miles away. He was thinking.

‘Miss Price, in your autopsy report on Skylar Edwards, there are no mentions of bruising and lacerations to the victim’s head and face, correct?’

‘It seemed to me to be irrelevant. I did mention that generally some lacerations and bruising were found,’ said Price.

‘So, you noticed lacerations and bruising but didn’t detail their location and appearance in your report?’

‘Yes. They were obviously not material to the cause of death.’

Kate’s throat went dry. Her mouth too. She licked her lips and thought about asking the next question. She didn’t know what Price would say, which was always dangerous. But she pressed ahead.

‘Did the lacerations on her forehead form any pattern which might give you an indication as to what might have caused them?’

It was out there now. And Price considered it for a moment. Kate had no idea what was going to happen next. She didn’t have any contrary evidence to put to Price, so she was at the mercy of this answer, whatever it might be. While she waited, she took a few steps back from the witness stand, so the prosecution table was in her eye line. She saw Wingfield wiggle that gold ring from his finger and put it in his pocket.

Price’s eyebrows knotted together and her gaze landed, uncomfortably, on Harry. Kate stepped forward to the defense table. Harry had a handful of documents in his hand. He was holding them up, for Kate. She took them from Harry, who then picked up the bundle of photographs taken by Doc Farnesworth of the bruising to Skylar Edward’s forehead and gave them to Kate too. Kate didn’t attempt to hide the photos – she let Price see that she was holding those photos in her hand, then whispered athank youto Harry.

‘Your Honor, maybe the witness would like a brief comfort break,’ said Korn.

‘I only have a couple more questions. As long as Miss Price is forthcoming with her answers, we’ll be able to release her in a few minutes,’ said Kate.

Kate had no doubt Korn had told Price to omit the bruising from her report, and then told her not to mention it on the stand as the defense’s expert would not be testifying. He’d put Price in a hard position. And now, standing in front of a defense attorney who was asking about those lacerations with their expert’s report in their hand – that rattled the hell out of Price.

Kate cracked a smile at the corner of her mouth. Price’s eyes widened. Kate was letting her know that she held a Royal Flush. And if Price was going to try and bluff, she would lose her house.

‘Miss Price? You seem to be having difficulty. Tell me, did the district attorney’s office prep you for your testimony here today?’ asked Kate, and she took a moment to glance down at the photos, and then back to the witness.

A fine layer of sweat broke over Price’s top lip. She looked to the prosecution table and said, ‘I discussed the contents of my report with the district attorney and his assistant, Tom Wingfield.’

‘Then you should have no problem recalling the autopsy findings. There was a pattern to the bruising, correct?’

‘From memory, there might have been a pattern,’ said Price.

‘You mean therewasa pattern to the bruising?’ asked Kate.